How older people can keep physically and mentally active this winter

With UK inflation reaching a 40-year high, this winter is going to be really tough for British people, especially the older generation. According to data from the Center for Ageing Better, prior to the cost-of-living crisis, there were around two million pensioners already living in poverty. This staggering figure is only going to increase as costs continue to spiral and the elderly will be faced with the choice of either eating or keeping warm over the coming months. 
 
With this in mind, now more than ever it is really important for older people to keep physically and mentally active, to not only keep their bodies moving, but also to keep their spirits high through all the doom and gloom.  
 
Staying active is a good thing for people of all ages, even more so for older people, as it can help to reduce the chances of cardiovascular disease and chronic health conditions. Regular exercise can also help regulate blood pressure, as well as improving balance, posture, strength and our mood.  
 
Gov.uk recommends that seniors aged 65 and over should aim to participate in 2.5 hours of moderate exercise each week. With British winters feeling very long, cold and dark, it can sometimes be quite challenging to achieve this. However, inactivity can cause physical conditions such as reduced muscle mass, increased risk of falling and intolerance for physical activity, as well as mental health issues, such as stress and depression. 
 
5 ways to keep physically active 
 
There are many ways that older people can keep active. To maintain mobility and strength it is important not to sit for long periods of time without a little activity. Anything that gets the body moving and the heart beating a little quicker is great for our overall health and wellbeing. Here are some things to consider:
 
Get outdoors: Even with cold and wet winters, older people can still get out in the fresh air if they take the right precautions. It’s best to stay indoors when it’s icy though to avoid any slips or falls.
 
Attend a fitness class: Whether it be in-person or virtually via Zoom, fitness classes can keep older people connected with others. 
 
Look around the house: If getting to the gym or an exercise class is out of the question, then grab some cans of soup out of the cupboard to use as hand weights. Walking up and down the stairs is a great cardio activity and for the real feel-good factor, turn up the volume on the radio and dance away.
 
Plan to move: Scheduling movement into each day is a great way to stay physically and mentally fit and healthy. Having a reason to get up each day is really important during the colder and darker months.  
 
Keep it simple: The aim is to get the whole body moving, even doing some housework or some light gardening will do the trick. When exercising it’s important to incorporate the following; balance, endurance, strength and flexibility. Not only will these activities improve a person’s physical health, it will also keep morale high. 

5 ways to keep mentally active 

Keeping mentally active is just as important as keeping physically active. Here are a few ways that older people can keep their spirits high during the winter:

Stay connected: Whether it’s talking to a relative on the phone, meeting a friend for a walk, or joining a Zoom call, staying connected with others can really brighten our mood. 

Increase Vitamin D intake: Simply letting in natural light can not only lift spirits quickly, but it can also contribute to a person’s daily intake of vitamin D. Someone who is vitamin D deficient can experience similar symptoms to those of depression, such as sadness and hopelessness, so it is worthwhile also taking a supplement to boost levels through the winter as sun-exposure is far less. 

Eat a balanced diet: Older people must make it a priority to eat a balanced diet as it not only prevents winter colds, flu and injuries, it’s also a great way to naturally boost a person’s energy levels and mood.

Stimulate the mind: There are many ways older people can stay mentally active. Reading a good book, watching a quiz show, playing Scrabble and doing mental exercises such as puzzles, crosswords and Sudoku will all keep the mind alert.

Do something enjoyable everyday: To keep spirits high, older people should fill their day with things they like. This could be an old hobby they now have time for, watching a good film, reading a great book, or simply having a cup of tea and a piece of cake in the afternoon. Whatever it is, the aim is to make them smile.

Conclusion
Cold and dark winter days can leave older people feeling unmotivated and low in energy and mood. Add this on top of a cost-of-living crisis, the next few months are going to be extremely tough, which is why it is essential that they stay positive and keep mentally and physically active over the next few months.